Feedback received from cellars confirmed that there is a serious need to develop the practical and general knowledge of cellar assistants, which adds value to their careers. Increased knowledge of winemaking procedures results in cellar assistants developing an insight that some of their assignments may have financial implications for the cellar. It has been established that participation in the Cellar Assistants’ Programme results in greater reliability, personal growth and increased confidence, which in turn results in improved problem reporting and fewer errors made in the cellar.
Cellars operate under immense pressure and cellar assistants must take responsibility for the efficiency and quality of work delivered. Therefore, knowledge transfer plays an important role and participation in the Cellar Assistants’ Programme is considered an investment by participating cellars.
Cellar assistants are primarily familiar with the wines of the cellars where they work, but they seldom get the opportunity to experience the wines from other regions. Consequently, the lack of exposure to a wider range of wines has a direct impact on cellar assistants’ practical knowledge. In 2025 cellar assistants will have the opportunity to attend workshops during June and August in Stellenbosch, Wellington, Worcester and Robertson, which will allow participants to increase their practical knowledge.
A qualified winemaker, Elzette du Preez, will present the programme in Afrikaans and English. The programme content will include the following:
- The South African Wine Industry – What is new?
- An in-depth discussion of red wine cultivars. How does one identify these cultivars in the vineyard and the cellar? What makes each one unique and what do they lend themselves to in terms of wine styles and wine preparation? A tasting of several red cultivars will be included in the programme.
- An independent, registered social worker, Greta Grobler will discuss the importance of mental health awareness with the participants.
The workshops are available free of charge to all cellar assistants employed in the wine industry as the Programme receives funding from South Africa Wine NPC, which coordinates research, transformation and people development. The Programme is funded by the industry statutory levy, which is collected by the South African Wine Industry Information Systems NPC, better known as SAWIS.
Prior booking is essential, and enrolments will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Confirmation of ID numbers, race, gender and citizenship will be required. Although the workshops will be presented in Afrikaans and English, it is recommended that participants be bi-lingual. The notes, as well as the attendance registers will be available electronically and a letter, signed by SAWIS and South Africa Wine, confirming the financial value per participant, will be available towards the end of 2025.
For more information, please contact Santi Basson at santib@mweb.co.za or 072 299 8186.
Photo captions:
2. Left to Right: Markquin Windvogel De Doorns Wine Cellars; Plaatjie Geduld Roodezandt RF; Desmond Diedericks, Roodezandt RF; Elzette Du Preez, Winemaker and facilitator; Greta Grobler, independent registered social worker and facilitator.
3. Left to Right: Thelma Makhundayi, Vergelegen, Roelien Harolds, Waterkloof Estate, Elzette Du Preez, facilitator and Leonie Volkwyn, Meerlust.